Mary-Ann Bloomfield has been appointed editor of the Mid Devon Gazette series - a promotion that rewards her hard work at the paper in the past five years - and paves the way for future developments.

Managing editor Andy Cooper has been editor of the North Devon Journal and Mid Devon Gazette, as well as holding director responsibility.

But the decision was taken to have an editor on site as part of the continuing development of the title.

Mary-Ann said: "This promotion reflects well on the team as a whole - it's a real team effort.

"I love it here. This area is a real working county with real people."

Mary-Ann has been in Tiverton since 1998 and before that worked in the Midlands, starting her career in 1965 as an apprentice reporter in Sutton Coldfield.

She worked on a number of weekly newspapers in the Midlands, and had a spell at the Birmingham Post, but moved to Devon after falling in love with the area - and setting her sights firmly on the paper where she now works.

She now heads a team of 12 editorial staff.

Managing editor Andy said: "This promotion is due reward for Mary's leadership of the Gazette and its editorial team since she joined the company. It also recognises the important role she has in the future development of the title."

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